By Ashleigh Varing

“Until the spring day comes again, until the flowers bloom again, please stay, please stay there a little longer.” If you recognize this, you know where I’m coming from: K-pop. Specifically, BTS.

Within the last few years, K-pop has surged in popularity in the states. But why? What makes it so appealing to such a specific niche of our country? There are a few different answers to this question.

K-pop is made up of many different genres. Although pop is prolific within the industry, many other types of music are present. Ballads, rap, hip-hop, rock, and almost any other genre you could think of can be found, meaning it can be enjoyed by just about anyone.

Their choreographies are just as versatile as the music. Several dance trends have stemmed from K-pop songs, which range from ‘Super Tuna’ by Jin to ‘Pink Venom’ by BLACKPINK. Most dances that go viral are much simpler than choreography you might find in an average song, though; many are fairly complex, such as ‘IDOL’ by BTS.

Additionally, music videos within K-pop are high-budget, with striking visuals and overarching stories that draw the viewer in. A good example of this would be BTS’ HYYH (Hwa Yang Yeon Hwa) concept, which has been ongoing since 2015.

Plus, most K-pop stars train for years in order to debut, working on a multitude of talents necessary to become an idol. For example, BTS’ Jungkook trained for roughly 2 years, despite already being quite experienced.

K-pop idols also create genuine bonds with their fans. They write special songs, livestream regularly, film variety shows, and communicate with fans on social media platforms. Most groups are genuinely appreciative of their support.